Description: A family of trees and shrubs with simple, alternate leaves and no stipules. Unlike Annonaceae and Myristicaceae, the Lauraceae have irregularly spiraled leaves (not distichous). The venation of the leaves is also less regular than in other Magnoliid families. The Lauraceae odor is particularly strong and often a little bit smoky. It can range from sweet to rank and fishy. The bark is weak, unlike Annonaceae.

Many Lauraceae fruits are dispersed by large birds, especially toucans and guans. The fruits are often oily rather than sweet— think of an avocado.